Al-Maarifa International Private School

Al-Maarifa International Private School (MIS) is a private educational institution in Sharjah. It was developed in 1986 and has over 30 years of experience. The school offers education from kindergarten to grade 12. It follows the American Education System until High School, on the completion of which students are given the option to either continue with the American Curriculum or move to the British Curriculum. MIS is equipped to prepare its students for both the American Advanced Placement (AP) exam and the British Advanced Level (AL) exam.

• Location: Al Yarmouk
• Fees: AED 13,838 - AED 26,476
• Curriculum: American and British Curricula
• Co-education or Segregated: Co-education
• Grades: Kindergarten 1 - Grade 12

Al-Maarifa International Private School is on Al Estiqlal Street Al Yarmook, in the Halwan Suburb of Sharjah. It is surrounded by various family-friendly residential communities such as:

• Al Bu Daniq
• Al Qasimia
• Al Ghubaiba
• Al Manakh
• Al Mahatah

Al Bu Daniq is a busy area with buildings, coffee shops, grocery stores and service stations. Those who want to live near the school can also check:

• Apartments for rent near Al-Maarifa International Private School

Al-Maarifa International Private School offers high-end facilities. The state-of-the-art campus has classrooms with modern learning equipment. For Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, the school has a modern computer lab. Students who love to read have access to a well-stocked library with an online system to get their favourite books. Al Maarifa Private School has biology, physics, and chemistry labs, a junior science room and a general science lab to meet the academic needs. Other notable features of this campus are:

• Clinic
• Multi-Purpose gymnasium
• Aerobics gymnasium
• Swimming pool (Semi-Olympics)
• Football court
• Multi-Sport outdoor court
• Media room

Al-Maarifa International Private School is on Abi Salamah Bin Abed Asad Street in Al Yarmook of the Halwan Suburb of Sharjah.

Al-Maarifa International Private School emphasises co-scholastic activities, as the school believes extra-curricular activities positively impact academic performance. MIS has established a Quality Assurance Department (QAD) that focuses solely on monitoring, improving and supporting the staff, curriculum and school performance. The QAD regularly organises classroom visits, performance-training workshops and other activities to enhance the quality of the school. Al-Maarifa International Private School’s standards have improved considerably since establishing the QAD.

The curriculum at MIS incorporates creative, social, athletic and scientific areas of learning and study. Al-Maarifa International Private School has classes from KG1 to Grade 12. Lessons are planned following the American Curriculum until Grade 9. Students can choose between the American Curriculum or the British Curriculum for the higher grades (Grades 10 to 12). MIS prepares its students to take the American Advanced Placement (AP) exam or the British Advanced Level (AL) exam.

Students of Al-Maarifa International Private School secure admissions amongst prestigious universities around the globe after graduating and go on to become productive and contributing members of society.

Al-Maarifa International Private School is a K-12 school that offers classes from kindergarten to grade 12. The educational system is broken down into the following stages:

The curriculum at MIS is designed to provide its students with exposure to the creative, social, scientific and athletic areas of learning. At the foundation level, the school focuses on developing the students’ skills in Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Information Technology (IT), Islamic Studies, Physical Education (PE), Music and Art. The medium of instruction is English, but Arabic is mandatory for all students. Native Arabic speakers are taught the more advanced curriculum.

Al-Maarifa International School imparts education in the American Curriculum until Grade 9. Students can continue the same curriculum or opt for the British curriculum. Islamic Studies and Arabic Language are taught in both curricula as required by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

The American Program

Standard subjects common for all grades from KG1 to Grade 12 under the American Curriculum are English, Mathematics, Computer Studies, Sciences, Sociology, Art and Design. Subject specifications for each grade are as follows:

KG1 to Grade 4

Grade 5 to Grade 9

Grade 10 to Grade 12 (Scientific)

Grade 10 to Grade 12 (Literary)

The British Program

Students who opt for the British Curriculum take the A/AS-Level exams at the end of Grade 12. Students’ performance in the IGCSE exams is taken into consideration while selecting the subjects for A/AS-Levels.

Students must take English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, and Arabic subjects for the IGCSE exam. Students have to take the IGCSE exam at the end of Grade 10. Compulsory and optional subjects under the British Program for MIS students are:

Grade 9

The compulsory subjects are:

Grade 10

The compulsory subjects are:

Environmental Management and ICT are available as optional subjects.

Grade 11

The compulsory subjects in this grade are:

The optional subjects for Grade 11 students are:

Grade 12

The compulsory subjects are:

The optional subjects include:

Students who opt for the British Program also have to take the common exam held by the Ministry of Education for Arabic and Islamic Studies at the end of Grade 12. They will then receive their High School Diploma and the UAE official Secondary Certificate (Thaniwiyah).

The academic calendar starts in the last week of August and ends in the last week of June.

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December. Students go on a winter break that begins in the third week of December and ends in the last week of December.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the fourth week of March. There are two options for spring breaks. The first option is from the last week of March to the second week of April and the second option is from the last week of March to the first week of April.
• The third term starts right after spring break and ends in the last week of June.

For more information, contact the school administration.

The admission procedure at Al-Maarifa International Private School is as follows:

• Prospective parents should register their contact number and their children’s name and grade at the school’s reception.
• Students registering for Grades 1 to 4 must sit for an entrance exam in English and Mathematics.
• Students registering for Grades 5 to 12 will undergo an interview and an entrance exam in English Language and Mathematics.
• The school will contact the parents regarding the entrance exam and interview. Results will be shared within a week of the same.
• Once their children clear the entrance exam, parents can proceed with the registration process by filling out the application form and submitting the required documents.

These documents are necessary for admission:

• Two passport copies with a valid residence visa
• Two birth certificate copies (in English or Arabic)
• Two copies of the UAE Emirates ID for the student and their father (sponsor)
• Two Father’s (sponsor) passport copies with a valid residence visa
• Six passport size photographs
• Two copies of the Nationality ID (for UAE nationals)
• Second term report card
• Continuation of Studies Certificate
• Financial clearance from the previous school
• A down payment of AED 500 is applicable (deductible from the school fees) upon registration (non-refundable in case of withdrawal)
• Attested Transfer Certificate (TC) (to be submitted before Summer Vacation)
• Final Report Card (to be submitted before Summer Vacation)
• Copy of the student’s immunisation record or previous school’s medical file.

Transfer Certificate (TC) should be attested by:

• If issued from emirates other than Sharjah then the certificate should be attested from that emirate’s educational zone.
• If issued from other GCC countries then the certificate should be attested from the Ministry of Education of the country.
• If issued from USA / Canada / Australia / New Zealand / Western Europe then the original certificate with the previous class stated clearly, sealed with the school stamp, and issued in or translated to English or Arabic (if translated, the translation should be legally attested) should be submitted.
• If issued from other countries than the original certificate sealed by the school stamp, issued in or translated to English or Arabic (if translated, the translation should be legally attested) should be submitted and attested by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE embassy in that country.

Important guidelines to keep in mind during the admissions process at MIS:

• Students have to meet the age requirements for each grade set by the Ministry of Education.
• The school’s Social Advisor interviews KG1 and KG2 students.
• Entrance exams and interviews will be held in the school starting from mid-April.
• To register for Grade 12 in the British curriculum section, students must pass five IGCSE subjects and the school’s interview.
• Application forms with incomplete documents will not be accepted.
• First instalment in cash, second and third instalments of fees in post-dated cheques are payable on the first of November and first of February– all should be submitted before the beginning of the academic year.

The age-grade guideline by the school is tabulated below:

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: KHDA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

Al-Maarifa International Private School fees for each grade are as follows:

The tuition fee for students enrolled in the British curriculum is also the same as mentioned above. A medical service cost of AED 200 and a deductible registration cost of AED 500 is applicable upon registration of the student with the school.

MIS has various canteens on campus catering to different sections of the school. The school has outsourced its catering to a private company and offers a variety of food and drinks throughout the school day.

MIS provides transportation services to students at an additional cost. The school places special care on the safety and comfort of students using the bus services. Therefore, the school ensures regular vehicle maintenance and safety checks and carries first-aid kits.

MIS organises local and international trips during the holidays. Students of Al-Maarifa International Private School Sharjah have visited Spain as part of an international excursion.

Maarifa International School encourages students’ physical fitness through various extra-curricular activities and sports. The school arranges sports competitions to facilitate physical education at the campus. Some of the school-related amenities at Al Maarifa are:

Students play basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis and badminton in the multi-outdoor court of Al Maarifa School Sharjah.

Al-Maarifa International Private School places equal importance on both academic and non-academic activities. The school believes that extra-curricular activities assist in the student’s personal development and academia.

Al Maarifa International School students participate in regional competitions and activities held by other educational institutions in the country and have established a name for themselves as strong competitors. The school encourages ECA mainly in physical fitness and sports such as aerobics, swimming, football, basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Al Maarifa Private School regularly organises educational trips within the United Arab Emirates to benefit students. These trips add value to the student’s academic performance.

Students of Al-Maarifa International Private School have visited locations, such as the Dubai Dolphinarium, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Kidzania and much more.

There are three clinics at MIS with basic medical equipment. Al Marifa International School employs qualified nurses to tend to the needs of the students and a part-time doctor. Parents are expected to inform the school about the students’ allergies and special medical conditions. The school will contact the parent in the event of a medical emergency.

MIS regularly updates its website with a newsletter that covers important events and activities held at the school. The school also publishes any relevant news updates and announcements on its website.

• Telephone Number: +971-6-501-4400 and +971-6-501-4409
• Email Address: info@almarifa-intsch.ae

GENERAL INFORMATION

• MIS Website
• MIS Facebook
• MIS Instagram

DOES AL MARRIFA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PROVIDE TRANSPORT FACILITY?

Yes, MIS provides transport facility.

HOW MANY GRADES/YEARS ARE THERE IN AL MAARIFA INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL?

Al Maarifa Private School offers education from KG1 to Grade 12.

DOES AL MAARIFA INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL FOLLOW A CO-EDUCATION MODEL?

Yes, it's a co-education school.

WHAT IS THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOLLOWED AT AL MAARIFA INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL?

The academic year at Al Maarifa International Private School starts in the last week of August and ends in the last week of June.

WHAT IS THE TUITION FEE CHARGED BY AL MAARIFA INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL?

Al Marrifa International School fee is from AED 13,838 to AED 26,476

Note that the cover image belongs to Al-Maarifa International Private School.